What Should You Do After A Auto Accident?
No one wants to get into a car accident. When you get behind the wheel, you have a 1 in 5 chance to get into an accident. With this being the case it is likely that you are going to need to know what to do after an accident. The following checklist will walk you through the steps you need to take in order to follow the law and help you get a claim started if you need one.
Emotions are often running high during these situations, and it can make knowing what to do difficult. Here are the following steps you can take to have the best possible outcome for your claim.
- Don’t Leave the Scene
Not only is it a crime to leave the scene of an accident, but you also could risk not getting the proper information if you leave. You need to ensure that you collect all the information you can while there. It will also help you avoid a hit-and-run charge as well.
- Check for Injuries
Figure out if anyone was injured. Start with yourself and your passengers. If it is safe to do so, and you are not injured, check on the other driver and their passengers. If you discover any injuries, you should call 911 immediately and request medical attention. Do not provide assistance that goes beyond your training. That means, if someone is stuck, do not move them. Let the medical team help them, as they have the training and the means to ensure the injuries don’t get worse.
- Call 911
If there are no immediate injuries that you know of, call 911. An officer will be dispatched to the accident and will be able to help you with collecting evidence. This will also prevent you from facing a fine. If you are injured and can’t collect information on your own, the officer can also help you with this. They will get all the information needed, including names, insurance information, and photos.
- Exchange Insurance and Contact Information
If you can, you should identify other drivers involved in your accident and get their names, contact information, and car insurance details. To prevent any transcription errors, you should take a photo of the other driver’s insurance information, and have the other driver do it for you too. That way you have all the information possible for your claim.
- Gather Evidence
Besides identifying witnesses to the accident, try to gather evidence. This means you should take down the details of the vehicles involved which include their make, model, color, and license plate numbers. You should also take note of any damage, skid marks, traffic singles, and the area conditions as well. All this evidence could be critical to your claim.
If you or a loved one have been in an auto accident and have more questions about what a Scottsdale auto accident lawyer can do for you, don’t hessiate to reach out to one like our friends at the Yearin Law Office today.
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